Haptoglobin as a treatment monitoring factor in feline plasmacytic gingivostomatitis

Abstract

Introduction: feline plasmacytic gingivostomatitis is an important and fairly common chronic disease. Its complex aetiology - which involves infectious agents, immunological disorders, and even genetic factors adds to the considerable difficulty of its treatment. Materials and Methods: the study was performed on 33 cats, 26 animals diagnosed with plasmacytic gingivostomatitis (study group) and 7 clinically healthy cats (control group). The study extended over four examination periods during which clinical and X-ray examinations, morphological and biochemical blood tests, as well as haptoglobin essays were performed. Results: the biochemical and haematological parameters were within normal limits. Blood serum haptoglobin measured on the first day of the treatment was above physiological levels, however its serum concentration decreased as the treatment progressed. Conclusions: in the present study, despite the bacterial inflammatory condition of periodontal pockets, after the treatment was concluded and symptoms alleviated, neither clinical examinations nor haptoglobin essays revealed deviations from values commonly accepted as normal. Fluctuations in blood serum haptoglobin levels proved to be a useful prognostic in determining the duration of necessary treatment.